System and method for positively discharging crop residue from a combine

ABSTRACT

A system and method for positively discharging crop residue from a combine for precisely and consistently delivering crop residue from the threshing and separating area of a combine to the combine&#39;s residue handling system or outwardly from the rear of the combine and onto the harvested field below as a windrow. The present invention can include, or operate in cooperation with, a discharge mechanism, such as a conventional discharge beater, which delivers at least some of the crop residue to a conveying mechanism of the system. The system also includes a guide mechanism including a door arrangement configurable in several alternative configurations for receiving and merging and regulating crop residue flow from the discharge mechanism and the conveying mechanism, and directing the merged flow to a desired processing mechanism, such as, but not limited to, a chaff spreader, a straw chopper and/or spreader, etc.

This Patent Application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/517,875, filed Nov. 7, 2003.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a system and method forpositively discharging crop residue from an agricultural combine, thesystem and method allowing for precise and consistent delivery of cropresidue from the threshing and separating area of a combine to theresidue handling system or outwardly from the rear of the combine in awindrowing configuration.

BACKGROUND ART

Agricultural combines are well known in the art for harvesting andthreshing various agricultural crops, including for example, wheat,soybeans, corn, etc. Usually, agricultural combines include a harvestingapparatus, an infeed mechanism, a separating apparatus and a cleaningapparatus. In operation, the harvesting apparatus reaps the crop, whichis planted in the ground. After reaping, the infeed mechanism feeds thecrop to the separating apparatus.

Typically, the separating apparatus in a rotary combine includes atleast one rotor, which can extend axially (front to rear) ortransversely within the body of the combine, and which is surrounded atleast in part by a perforated concave having a plurality of apertures.The grain is threshed and separated by the separating apparatus, and theseparated grain, together with some impurities, such as chaff, dust, andcrop residue particles, are fed to a cleaning system to clean theimpurities from the grain. Clean grain is collected below the cleaningsystem and fed to a grain tank for temporary storage. The clean grain,impurities and smaller elements and particles of the crop residue areseparated form the bulk of the crop residue by the separating apparatusand the resulting residue is delivered for processing by a dischargedelivery system.

While the terms “grain” and “crop residue” are used principallythroughout this specification for convenience, it should be understoodthat these terms are not intended to be limiting. Thus “grain” refers tothat part of the crop which is threshed and separated from thediscardable part of the crop material (e.g. straw), which is referred toas “crop residue”.

Traditional discharge delivery systems rely on a device often referredto as a “straw walker” or another device known as a “discharge beater”,to transport or convey the separated crop residue rearwardly within abody of the combine to a residue handling system. Generally, strawwalkers, which involve crank mechanisms for conveying the crop residuerearwardly through a combine, are relatively slow in operation and thushave a limited material handling capability or rate. The crankmechanisms add complexity and vibration. Discharge beaters “throw” orpropel the crop residue away from the separator and toward the rear ofthe combine. In both instances, the crop residue is generally eitherdischarged directly in its raw form onto the harvested field or is firstchopped through a chopper mechanism and then discharged onto theharvested field.

While conventional discharge beaters have adequately conveyed ordischarged crop residue to the rear of conventional rotary combines,they are often less than satisfactorily able to consistently delivercrop residue to the residue handling systems of today's new, improvedcombines. For example, as capacities of modern combines and the volumeof material the combine handles per unit of time have continued toincrease, conventional discharge beaters have been unable to preciselyand consistently throw the increased amounts of crop residue to the rearof the combine. Accordingly, use of a conventional discharge beateralone has been found to be insufficient for many newer combineapplications.

To summarize, although technological advances have improved upon some ofthe inadequacies of conventional discharge systems, problems remain. Oneproblem is that as crop handling capacities of combines have increased,the volume of crop residue that must be conveyed, thrown or propelledrearwardly within the body of the combine, has also increased.

Additionally, for some applications it is permissible or desirable tomix the straw and other crop residue with the chaff. For otherapplications it is required to handle the straw and chaff separatelywithin the body of the combine and to process and discharge themseparately. A problem that has been encountered in regard to theselatter applications is that varying moisture content of crop residue,and different types of crop residue, result in a wide range of possibleweights of the crop residue and thus the effort needed to properlydeliver it to the rear of the combine. Accordingly, if crop residuefalls short of the rear of the combine, blockages and interference withthe operation of the chaff handling system can occur, thereby causingsignificant combine down time, decreases in harvesting productivity, andincreases in operator and owner dissatisfaction and component failure.

Still further, when windrowing it is often desired for the straw to dryas quickly as possible, such that it can be baled and time will remainfor planting and harvesting another crop in the field. However, whenwindrowing conventionally, the straw is driven or propelled downwardlyinto the stubble on the field, so as to mix with the stubble and beclose to the ground. This can result in longer drying times, and to balethe straw the tines of the straw rake must pass through the stubbleclose to the ground for removing the straw from the stubble. The strawcan also be distributed relatively unevenly, such as in wads and thelike, so as to dry unevenly.

Accordingly, the drawbacks of the conventional systems and methods fordischarging crop residue from a combine have been known within theindustry without any marked improvement to date. Thus, the need existsfor the present invention, which provides a system and method for morepositively and uniformly controlling and discharging crop residue from acombine.

It is accordingly an objective of the present invention that it providean improved system and method for positively discharging crop residuefrom a combine, the system and method allowing for precise andconsistent delivery of crop residue from the threshing and separatingarea of the combine to the residue handling system or the rear of thecombine.

It is another objective of the present invention that it provide asystem and method for precisely and consistently delivering crop residueto the spreader of a combine for positively discharging raw cropresidue, for subsequent spreading to the harvested field below.

It is yet another objective of the present invention that it provide asystem and method for precisely and consistently delivering crop residueto the chopper of a combine for positive discharge of the chopped cropresidue to the harvested field below.

It is an additional objective of the present invention that it provide asystem and method for precisely and consistently discharging cropresidue out of the rear of a combine, in a windrow formation, to theharvested field below.

It is yet another objective of the present invention that it provide asystem and method for reducing and even alleviating crop residueblockages at the rear of the combine, thereby decreasing combine downtime and increasing harvesting productivity and customer satisfaction.

It is still a further objective of the present invention that the systemand method for positively discharging crop residue from a combine shouldalso be of a construction which is both durable and long lasting, and itshould also require little or no maintenance to be provided by the userthroughout its operating lifetime. In order to enhance the market appealof the system and method for positively discharging crop residue from acombine, it is desirably of inexpensive construction to thereby affordit the broadest possible market. Finally, it is also an objective thatall of the aforesaid advantages and objectives be achieved withoutincurring any substantial relative disadvantage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With this invention, a system and method for positively discharging cropresidue from a combine, which overcomes many of problems and limitationsand provides many of the objectives set forth above, is disclosed.

The present invention generally includes a system and method forprecisely and consistently delivering crop residue from the threshingand separating area of a combine to the combine's residue handlingsystem or, alternatively, directly delivering crop residue out the rearof the combine and onto the harvested field below.

It is contemplated that the present invention include, or operate incooperation with, a discharge mechanism, such as a conventionaldischarge beater, which delivers crop residue to a conveying mechanism.A guide mechanism, preferably including a door arrangement configurablein several alternative configurations, directs the crop residue receivedby the conveying mechanism to a desired processing mechanism, such as,but not limited to, a windrow, a chaff spreader, a straw chopper and/orspreader, etc.

It is contemplated that the conveying mechanism can be of variable speedto accommodate different types of crop residue. For example, theconveying mechanism can include a sensor device or devices for detectionof predetermined parameters such as variables relating to orrepresentative of conditions of the crop residue being delivered, suchas differential weight, volume, or moisture contents of the cropresidue. Thus, the conveying mechanism can be adjusted, eitherautomatically or manually, to accommodate any type of crop residuehaving any type of characteristic, thereby ensuring precise, efficient,and consistent crop residue discharge.

Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, the system isconfigurable to deliver crop residue to a straw chopper and/or spreader,which subsequently distributes the crop residue to the harvested fieldbelow and/or in a swath in a desired relation to the combine. In atleast one additional embodiment of the present invention, the system isconfigurable to deliver crop residue to a chaff spreader device, whichincorporates crop residue and chaff together for dispersal to theharvested field below and/or in a swath in a desired relation to thecombine.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the system isconfigurable to discharge crop residue directly out the rear of thecombine, in a windrow formation, to the harvested field behind or belowthe combine. Additionally, the system can be configured to deposit thestraw on the field in a substantially continuous, cohesive, airpermeable mat, which is laid more on the stubble on the field incontrast to being driven into and integrated into the stubble. As aresultant advantage, there can be greater air flow through and beneaththe stubble for faster drying. As another advantage, the stubble can becut lower or shorter, for greater straw yield, because the rakes of astraw baler can be set higher as a result of the straw lying more on thestubble as opposed to being more integrated into the stubble.

In yet an additional embodiment of the present invention, the system isconfigurable so as to reduce or even alleviate crop residue blockages atthe rear of the combine, thereby decreasing combine down time andincreasing harvesting productivity and customer satisfaction. This is aresult, at least in part, of a capability of the present system toconvey and guide the crop residue more uniformly or consistently to aselected processing mechanism at or in the rear of the combine, such asa straw chopper, spreader or the like, without heavier or largerelements of the straw, such as wads, vines, and the like, falling ontoor into a chaff spreader typically located forwardly of a straw chopperand/or spreader and an outlet used for windrowing. In this latterregard, the conveying mechanism can be positioned partially above thechaff spreader. Also, the conveying mechanism is preferably positionedin rearwardly converging or tapering relation to a crop residue hoodceiling of the body of the combine located above the conveyor mechanism,such that as the crop residue is conveyed rearwardly by the conveyingmechanism, it is merged and integrated with lighter or other portions ofthe crop residue flow which remain airborne longer and thus are notdeposited on the conveyor surface. This convergence or taper alsoreduces the vertical extent or height of the rear end of the spacethrough which the crop residue is conveyed and merged, such that theoverall vertical extent or height profile of the flow of the cropresidue will be reduced and made more uniform and consistent as it isdirected to the processing mechanism or outwardly from the combine forwindrowing. In this latter regard, as a result, the crop residue flowsor is discharged from the combine in essentially a continuous, cohesivemat, which can be lowered onto field stubble so as to lie thereon andmore effectively and rapidly dry, so as to be capable of being raked upand baled sooner compared to straw which is forcefully propelleddownwardly and integrated into the stubble.

In a final aspect of the present invention, a method for positivelydischarging crop residue from a combine is provided. For example, onepreferred method of the invention includes steps of threshing andseparating crop grain; delivering the threshed crop grain residue towardthe rear of the combine; conveying the crop residue to a guidemechanism; and directing the crop residue to a desired processingmechanism for positive discharge from the combine, or outwardly from therear end of the combine for windrowing. In this latter regard, the guidemechanism preferably includes the door arrangement configurableaccording to steps of the invention in one configuration for directingor guiding the crop residue into an inlet opening of a chopper, and inanother configuration for directing or guiding the crop residue througha rear opening of the combine and onto a field below in a windrow. Alsoin this latter regard, alternatively the conveying and guide mechanismscan be configured for directing the crop residue into a chaff spreader.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages of the present invention are best understoodwith reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of an agriculturalcombine;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary left side view of a separating apparatus andcleaning system of the combine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a simplified right side view of an interior space of a rearend of the combine, showing a rotary beater for propelling crop residuefrom the separating apparatus of FIG. 2, and a discharge system of thecombine according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is another simplified right side view of the interior space anddischarge system of FIG. 3, with the discharge system configured in a“chop mode” for directing crop residue into a chopper of the combine;

FIG. 5 is a simplified right front isometric view of the dischargesystem of FIG. 4 configured in the chop mode;

FIG. 6 is a simplified left front isometric view of the discharge systemof FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is another simplified right side view of the discharge system ofFIG. 3, configured in a “windrowing mode” for directing crop residuethrough a rear opening of the body of the combine;

FIG. 8 is a simplified right front isometric view of the dischargesystem of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a simplified right rear isometric view of the discharge systemof FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a representation of a longitudinal view of a windrow formedby the discharge system of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10A is a side view representation of a windrow formed in a priorart manner;

FIG. 10B is a side view representation of the windrow of FIG. 10;

FIG. 11 is another simplified right side view of the discharge system ofFIG. 7 illustrating the diversion of air from the cleaning mechanism,which serves to keep the leading edges of the chop/swath door anddeflector/kickback door free of material build-up;

FIG. 12 is another simplified right side view of the discharge system ofFIG. 3, in a “residue spreading mode”;

FIG. 13 is a right front isometric view of the discharge system of FIG.12;

FIG. 14 is an alternative embodiment, shown in a simplified right sideview, of the discharge system of FIG. 12, illustrating the pivotalnature of the conveying mechanism; and

FIG. 15 is a simplified left front isometric view of the dischargesystem, showing a speed control for the conveyor mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a self-propelled rotary combine20 that includes a housing or body 22 defining an internal open area orspace 24. While a conventional rotary combine is shown, it isanticipated that the present invention could be used with any type ofcombine, such as a conventional combine having a threshing cylinder andseparation beaters (not shown) or a hybrid combine having a threshingcylinder and rotors (not shown). However, for ease of explanation, thepresent invention will be discussed hereinafter in conjunction with aself-propelled rotary combine 20 as illustrated by FIG. 1.

The body 22 of the combine 20, which can include a supporting frame 26,is supported on front drive wheels 28 and steerable rear wheels 30. Thecombine 20 is powered by an engine (not shown) and controlled from anoperator's station 32.

A crop harvesting apparatus, otherwise referred to as a header 34, andan infeed mechanism 36 are attached at a forward end of the combine 20.The infeed mechanism 36 feeds crop materials to a rotor assembly 38enclosed within the body. One example of a rotary combine configuredwith a rotary assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,239, titled“Rotary Combine” and which issued Feb. 6, 1996 to Case Corporation, andwhich is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the rotor assembly 38 is preferably configuredas a single axial unit that threshes and separates crop materialspresented thereto into grain and other materials. However, it should beappreciated that the rotary combine 20 could be configured with morethan one rotor assembly 38, for example, with two units arranged in aparallel configuration. The rotor assembly 38 is mounted in the internalarea defined by the body (FIG. 1).

The rotor assembly 38 includes a rotor 40 with a longitudinal extentrotatably mounted to the body 22 about a longitudinal axis of rotation42, which extends axially along the length of the combine 20. It shouldbe understood that the term “longitudinal” means of or relating tolength or the lengthwise dimension. It should also be understood thatthe rotor 40, with its longitudinal extent, could be mounted within thebody 26 so as to extend laterally from side-to-side within the combine20.

It should be understood that the terms “left side,” “right side,”“left,” “right,” “front,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “top,” and “bottom,”and their derivatives, as used herein, are intended to indicatedirections relative to the views presented in the Figs., and inparticular, from a perspective when viewing the rotary combine 22 ofFIG. 1, and the internal components thereof, from the steerable rearwheels 30 toward the crop harvesting apparatus.

Referring back to FIG. 2, between the upstream, or front end 44, and thedownstream, or rear end 46, of the rotor assembly 38, the crop materialis threshed as it spirals around the rotor 40 against a concave 48disposed at least partially, circumferentially around the rotor 40. Therotor 40 can be dimensioned with a broad range of diameters, dependingon the desired size and performance characteristics of the combine 20.

For example, suitable rotors 40 may have a diameter in the range offifteen inches to thirty inches, although it should be appreciated thatother diameters, larger and smaller, would also work for the purposes ofthis invention. The rotor 40 is configured with suitableinstrumentalities (not shown) mounted on the peripheral surface thereofthat cooperate with the concave 48 to thresh the crops introducedtherebetween.

As shown in FIG. 2, the concave 48 can include various semi-cylindricalconcave inserts 50 and grate inserts 52, which are generally provided ina lower arcuate fashion and supported by a concave frame (not shown).The rotor 40 is preferably made of steel, and is generally rotated atspeeds of between 150 to 1500 revolutions per minute, depending on thetype of crop being threshed, and the conditions under which thethreshing is being performed. It should be understood, however, that thespeed of the rotor 40 is not critical to the operation of the invention,and that other speeds, faster and slower, may be desired and suitablefor the purposes of the present invention without detracting ordeparting from the scope thereof.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the concave inserts 50 and grate inserts 52each have a plurality of apertures 54 that allow the grain to beseparated from the other crop material as the grain passes through theapertures 54. Most of the grain drops onto a grain pan 56. The grain isthereafter-conveyed rearward from the grain pan 56 by an auger mechanism58 (a grain pan can also be used to transport the grain) for subsequentcleaning and collection by a cleaning system 60 and a discharge system76 according to the invention, as best illustrated in FIG. 3.

The cleaning system 60 cleans chaff, crop residue, tailings and otherforeign material from the grain. For example, the cleaning system 60 caninclude a cleaning fan 62, a chaffer sieve 64, a grain sieve 66, and aclean grain collector 68. A suitable auger mechanism 70 can direct cleangrain from the clean grain collector 68 into a hopper or grain bin (notshown). The cleaning fan 62 directs a flow of air, denoted by arrows G,upward and rearwardly through sieves 64 and 66, for blowing the chaffand other particles from the grain.

Crop residue and other waste crop material are impelled rearwardly outof the discharge or rear end 46 of the rotor assembly 38 by thedischarge system 76. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and morespecifically in FIG. 3, a rotary beater 72 rotates, as denoted by arrowA to “throw” or propel, as denoted by arrows B1 and B2, an airborne flowof crop residue and other waste material, particularly straw, throughthe space 24 rearwardly toward the rear end of the space 24 and thecombine 20. The discharge beater 72 is preferably positioned above abeater concave 74 to facilitate this function. Such airborne flow of thecrop residue will typically comprise elements of varying size, mass andother characteristics that will influence the distance that the elementsof the crop residue will be thrown or propelled through the space 24.For instance, it can be expected that a wad or wads of weeds, vines ortough or green crop residue propelled rearwardly by beater 72 will nottravel as far through space 24 compared to lighter individual elementsof the crop residue such as individual straws and the like. This can bedue to the larger size of the wad, and also greater weight compared tothe lighter elements. As a result, it has been found that such wads andlarger and/or heavier elements of the crop residue can have a tendencyto fall down at more forward locations within the space 24, includingover a more forwardly located chaff spreader device 102, so as to causeproblems such as interfering with operation of, and/or reducing theefficiency of, the cleaning system 60 and/or the chaff spreader 102,including blocking chaff flow into the spreader device 102, even to thepoint so as to require manual removal, which can cause machine downtimewhich can reduce productivity and cause dissatisfaction among users andowners of the combine.

Referring also to FIGS. 3 through 9 and 11 through 14, the dischargesystem 76 further preferably includes a conveying mechanism 78, whichovercomes and eliminates at least some of the problems set forth above.The conveying mechanism 78 is preferably mounted to the body of thecombine 20 by a conveyor mount 80, which can comprise, for example, apair of brackets which mount the conveying mechanism 78 to the oppositesides of body 22 for supporting conveying mechanism 78 in a positionsuch as that shown, in spanning relation to a portion of the space 24just below, or in a lower region of, a path of the rearward flowgenerated by the beater 72, denoted by the arrows B1 and B2.Advantageously, the conveying mechanism will be positioned in the pathof elements of the crop residue flow B, B1 and B2 that would fall shortof a desired destination therefor, such as a rearwardly located chopperand/or spreader or an outlet opening, and so as to prevent or limitoccurrences of the problems set forth above including blocking andinterfering with the operation of other systems. At the position shown,the front end of the conveying mechanism 72 is located above at least arear end of a chaff spreader device 102, which coincides with a locationof most anticipated short falls of crop residue flow B, B1 and B2.

The conveying mechanism 78 can be optionally mounted for pivotalmovement in an upward and downward direction, as denoted by arrow C inFIG. 3, for operation in an alternative position, as shown in FIG. 14.

The conveying mechanism 78 includes a conveyor drive 124, which can be,for instance, a well known, commercially available hydraulic motor, anelectric motor, etc., drivingly rotatable for continuously moving anupwardly facing conveyor surface 122 of conveyor mechanism 78 in therearward direction, as denoted by arrow D. Conveyor surface 122 ispreferably a surface of an endless belt, chain or the like whichencircles rollers at the opposite ends of conveying mechanism 78, andcan have a generally smooth surface, or a textured surface, or includeraised elements thereon, as desired or required for a particularapplication. The conveyor drive 124 is shown connected in drivingrelation to one of the rollers for moving conveyor surface 122 in thewell known manner.

The conveying mechanism 78 can additionally be optionally rotatable bydrive 124 at variable speeds, either under manual control, orautomatically responsive to and in adjustment for differentcharacteristics of the crop residue being received and/or otherconditions, as represented by one or more predetermined parameters, aswill be discussed in reference to FIG. 15. Generally, the conveyingmechanism 78 is bounded on its upper side by a crop residue hood ceiling82, which prevents crop residue from escaping upward. The conveyingmechanism 78 cooperates with crop residue hood ceiling 82 for mergingportions of, shaping, and regulating crop residue flow B, B1 and B2, aswill also be explained.

Located generally below the conveying mechanism 78 are crop residueprocessing mechanisms. For example, a crop residue spreader and/orchopper, represented by a chopper 84 is preferably present below theconveying mechanism 78. It is contemplated that the chopper 84 can beany conventional chopper currently known in the art or any improvedversion thereof, for chopping and/or spreading crop residue. Regardless,it is preferred that the chopper 84 include a chopper housing 86 havingan inlet opening 88 for receipt of crop residue, such as straw. Locatedrearward of the chopper 84 is preferably a chopper spreader band orguide 90, for directing the crop residue discharged from chopper 84 in adesired manner over a field.

Focusing on FIG. 3, it can be seen that a guide mechanism 92 is present.The guide mechanism 92 preferably, but not necessarily, includes a dooror guide arrangement including at least one pivotal guide or door, suchas a pivotal chop/swath door 94 and a pivotal deflector/kickback door96, which are pivotable as illustrated by the arrows associated with therespective doors 94, 96. The chop/swath door 94 and thedeflector/kickback door 96 are connected to handles 98, 100,respectively, preferably located on the exterior of body 22 and movablefor manually positioning the chop/swath door 94 and deflector/kickbackdoor 96 relative to the chopper 84, to a variety of positions, as shown.Here, it should be noted that the positions of doors 94 and 96 are shownin FIG. 3 in random pivotal positions to illustrate the pivotabilitythereof.

However, it should be appreciated that the guide mechanism 92 could alsobe remotely automatically, electronically, hydraulically, ormechanically operable and positionable. For instance, each of the doorscould be controlled using a common commercially available rotaryactuator, a linkage arrangement, or the like (not shown). Finally,located forward of the chopper 84 is a conventional chaff spreadermechanism or device 102, for receiving a flow of chaff, denoted byarrows J, propelled rearwardly from cleaning system 60 by rearward andupward flow of air G (FIG. 2) from cleaning fan 62 in the well known,conventional manner.

Turning now to FIGS. 4–6, the “chopping mode” embodiment of thedischarge system 76 of the present invention is illustrated. FIGS. 4–6show the conveying mechanism 78 mounted adjacent to and in spacedrelation below, the crop residue hood ceiling 82 of the combine. Asillustrated, it is contemplated that the discharge beater 72 will throwor propel a flow of crop residue rearwardly, denoted by arrows B1 andB2, such that some or all of the crop residue, particularly largerelements and wads thereof, represented by arrow B1, will fall or landupon the conveying mechanism 78, and more particularly, on conveyorsurface 122, which is moving rearwardly as denoted by arrow D. Themoving surface 122 will carry the crop residue deposited thereonrearwardly so as to effectively be merged or mixed with the stillairborne crop residue flow B2, which is at the same time being guideddownwardly by the hood ceiling 82, so as to reduce the overall verticalextent of the crop residue flows B1 and B2, so as to be more uniform andconsistent. The rearward powered movement of surface 122 of conveyingmechanism 78 thus facilitates the collection and consolidation orfunneling of the crop residue discharge, and positively delivers it, byway of the guide mechanism 92, to the chopper 84, as denoted by arrowsE. In this regard, it should be appreciated that elements of the cropresidue flow B1 that fall onto conveyor surface 122 will often havelittle or no useful remaining rearward velocity or momentum, and thuswill be accelerated and positively propelled rearwardly to the rear endof the conveyor surface 122 and be combined with flow B2. The rearwardmovement of and energy imparted to the thus conveyed crop residue offlow B1 will facilitate the merging and mixing thereof with the stillairborne portions of the crop residue flow B2, and also the smoothfeeding of the combined and merged crop residue flow E into the chopper84. In this latter regard, the reduced or controlled vertical extent ofthe combined crop flows B1 and B2 facilitate more uniform, controlledand concentrated entry and feeding of the crop flow E at a desired angleand location into inlet opening 88 of the chopper 84. And, in the eventof receipt of a particularly large volume or wad of crop material, thecombination of the powered conveying mechanism 78 positively driving thecrop material rearwardly and the reducing of the vertical extent thereofwill have the effect of throttling and funneling the crop material intothe chopper 84 so as to regulate the flow of the crop material inductedtherein and reduce the occurrence of induction of wads and large volumesthat can overload the chopper and cause problems such as excessive drivebelt slippage and resultant wear.

Notably, in this embodiment, the chop/swath door 94 is positionedgenerally vertically so that its leading edge 104 abuts or contacts thecrop residue hood ceiling 82, for preventing passage of the crop residuerearwardly of door 94. Similarly, the deflector/kickback door 96 is alsopositioned generally vertical so that its leading edge 106 abuts orcontacts the bottom rear edge of the conveying mechanism 78 (FIG. 4),for preventing passage of the crop residue forwardly thereunder. Thegenerally vertical positioning of the chop/swath door 94 anddeflector/kickback door 96 thus direct crop residue into the chopperinlet opening 88 of the chopper 84 for processing thereby.

Consequently, the chop/swath door 94 disallows exit of the crop residuethrough the rear of the combine while the deflector/kickback door 96prevents crop residue material from being thrown forward by the chopper84. Notably, the chaff from the cleaning system 60 remains segregatedfrom the crop residue discharge and is handled by the chaff spreaderdevice 102, as denoted in FIG. 4 by arrows J, or is delivered directlyto the harvested field below the combine.

Turning next to FIGS. 7–10, the “windrow mode” embodiment of thedischarge system 76 of the present invention is shown. In the windrowmode, the elements of the crop residue flow B1 and B2 are merged andmixed and consolidated as discussed above by cooperation of conveyingmechanism 78 and hood ceiling 82, but instead of being subsequentlydirected downwardly into chopper 84, the crop residue flow nowidentified by arrows F, is directed outwardly from the combine through arear opening 128. To accomplish this, chop/swath door 94 and thedeflector/kickback door 96 are pivotally positioned and configured todirect the crop residue flow F over the top of and past the chopper 84,and onto a ramp 130 extending downwardly and rearwardly over the rearend of the chopper 84 and spreader band 90. If the crop flow issufficiently large, it will be reduced in overall vertical extent orfunneled by passage between the rear end of the conveying mechanism 78and hood ceiling 82 so as to exit the rear end of the combineessentially in the form of a continuous, largely cohesive mat. This matwill flow or ride downwardly and rearwardly over ramp 130 and be laid asa cohesive windrow 110 onto stubble 132 (see FIG. 10) of a harvestedfield 112 behind the combine. Chaff is spread from the chaff spreaderdevice 102. In this embodiment, the chop/swatch door and thekickback/deflector door 96 converge at their leading edges 104, 106 tocreate a seal. Accordingly, it is contemplated that generally all thecrop residue from the beater (arrows B1 and B2) will be discharged overthe chopper 84 to form the cohesive windrow 110, which will rest on thestubble of the harvested field 112.

FIGS. 10, 10A and 10B illustrate an advantage of the windrowingcapability of the present system. FIG. 10A shows a more conventionalprior art windrow 134, wherein the crop residue (straw) is blowndownwardly into and against the stubble on a field 112, in anon-cohesive manner to form the windrow 134. For such a windrow, thestubble is typically cut to a height, denoted as height Z, of generallyfrom about 8 to 16 inches so as to be capable of receiving and holdingthe straw. As a result, the straw of the windrow 134 is integrated atleast to some extent into the stubble, and, when baled, will have to beraked from the stubble. This is one reason for the height of thestubble.

FIGS. 10 and 10B show the windrow 110 formed by the present invention.Here, the crop residue flow (straw) is more cohesive as it is dischargedfrom the combine, and, as a result, can be laid more as a cohesive,continuous mat on top of the stubble 132. The windrow 110 will likelylie on the stubble, and will integrate therein to some extent, but notto the same extent as if blown into the stubble. As a result, air canmove through the straw beneath the stubble more easily, which can resultin faster drying times under some conditions. Thus, if the straw driesfaster, it can be baled sooner. This can be important when it is desiredto plant a second crop in the field.

As another advantage, because the straw is not integrated to the sameextent into the stubble, less deep raking is required. As a result, thestubble can be cut shorter. For instance, a height Z of from about 5 toabout 10 inches may be possible.

Focusing now on FIG. 11, it can be seen that when in the windrow modewith the crop residue flow F over the chopper 84, the chop/swath door 94and the deflector/kickback door 96 can be optionally positioned todivert at least a portion of air from the cleaning fan 62 (FIG. 2), asdenoted by arrows G. It is contemplated that this air is diverted up andover the leading edges 104, 106 of the chop/swath door 94 and thedeflector/kickback door 96, which keeps crop material from building upon the leading edges 104, 106 and between the doors and the conveyingmechanism 78. Chaff can still be handled by chaff spreader device 102,as denoted by arrows J.

More specifically, the deflector/kickback door 96 is positioned at anangle θ, of between about 5 and 20 degrees relative to vertical todirect air upwardly and rearwardly, as denoted by arrows G. Aspreviously discussed, the leading edge 104 of the chop/swath door 94preferably rests on the leading edge 106 of the deflector/kickback door96, which serves to completely block the chopper opening 88 so that thechopper 84 does not take in the diverted air.

Adjacent to a front end 116 of conveying mechanism 78 the height fromsurface 122 to hood ceiling 82 directly thereabove is preferably withina range of from about 30 to 60 centimeters, and the height from surface122 to hood ceiling 82 above a rear end 114 of the conveying mechanismis preferably within a range of from about 20 to 30 centimeters, thehood ceiling gradually tapering downwardly in the rearward directionsuch that surface 122 and hood ceiling 82 are in converging relation,front to rear, for facilitating the crop flow merging function discussedabove.

Here, it should be noted that the height values X, Y and Z, and thevalues for angle θ are for purposes of illustration only and are notintended to be limiting.

Turning now to FIGS. 12–14, the “residue spreading mode” of dischargesystem 76 is illustrated. Specifically, in FIGS. 12 and 13, thechop/swath door 94 and the deflector/kickback door 96 are configured todirect all crop residue (e.g. straw and chaff) into the chaff spreaderdevice 102, as denoted by arrows H. Accordingly, the chop/swath door 94is positioned generally vertical to disallow crop residue from beingconveyed rearward and outward from the combine while thedeflector/kickback door 96 is positioned generally at an angularorientation relative to the chop/swath door 94 to block the chopperinlet opening 88. Preferably all crop residue material will be divertedforward into the chaff spreader device 102, which will spread it, asdenoted by arrows K (see FIG. 13). Notably, this mode is particularlyuseful for handling crops where the residue needs to be spread acrossthe width of the cut, but not chopped. Chaff spreader device 102 alsohandles the chaff flow, denoted by arrows J.

Focusing on FIG. 14, illustrated is an alternative embodiment of thedischarge system 76 in the residue spreading mode. More specifically, asshown, crop residue is diverted directly into the chaff spreader device102, as denoted by arrows H, by the conveying mechanism 78 which isvariably pivoted to an alternative position as shown. It is contemplatedthat the conveying mechanism 78 can pivot about its rear end 114 asshown, or alternatively, its front end 116, or either of its drive axes,to block travel of the crop residue to the chopper inlet opening 88. Adeflector plate 118, which is preferably mounted to the underside of thehood ceiling 82 above conveying mechanism 78, and is positionedgenerally vertical so that its leading edge 120 abuts a non-movingportion of the conveying mechanism 78. This prevents rearward flow ofthe crop material. Again, chaff spreader device 102 also can handle thechaff flow, as denoted by arrows J. Also, the conveying mechanism 78 canbe non-rotating, or the direction of rotation of the surface 122 of theconveying mechanism 78 as driven by drive 124 can be reversed, asdenoted by arrow D1, to facilitate crop material flow H.

Referring also to FIG. 15, as noted above, the conveyor surface 122 ofthe conveying mechanism 78 can additionally be optionally automaticallymoved in directions D and D1 by drive 124 at variable speeds, eitherunder manual control using a suitable input device 136 in operator'sstation 32 or elsewhere, or automatically, responsive to and inadjustment for different characteristics of the crop residue beingreceived and/or other conditions, as represented by one or morepredetermined parameters. Such parameters can include, for instance, butare not limited to, parameters sensed or determined by an element orelements of the header 34, the infeed mechanism 36, the rotor assembly38, and/or the cleaning system 60, and/or sensors associated with theconveying mechanism 78, such as a load sensor 138 associated withsurface 122 for sensing a load thereon, or a contact switch 140 disposedabove the surface 122 which will make or break an electrical circuitresponsive to contact with a mass of crop residue or straw beingconveyed by the surface 122 or being fed into one of the processingdevices such as the chopper 84, the spreader 102, or rearwardly from thecombine. The speed can be controlled by a conventional commerciallyavailable processor based speed control, such as control 142, which canbe connected to the drive 124 and the sensor and/or switch by a suitableconductive path, such as wires 144 shown. By such control the conveyor78 can be sped up or slowed down, as required or desired to regulatecrop residue flow into the handling device for optimizing outputtherefrom and for regulating the characteristics, such as consistency,cohesiveness and the like, of a windrow formed by the present system.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved system andmethod for positively discharging crop residue from a combine, thesystem and method allowing for precise and consistent delivery of cropresidue from the threshing and separating area of a combine to theresidue handling system or the rear of the combine. The presentinvention further provides a system and method for delivering cropresidue to at least one of the chaff spreader, chopper, and exterior ofa combine where the crop residue is positively discharged in a swath orwindrow upon the harvested field below the combine. Finally, the presentinvention also provides a system and method for reducing and alleviatingcrop residue blockages at the rear of the combine, thereby reducingcombine down time and increasing harvesting productivity and customersatisfaction.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the system and method for positivelydischarging crop residue from a combine has been shown and describedwith reference to particular embodiments and applications thereof, itwill be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a numberof changes, modifications, or alterations to the invention as describedherein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit or scope of thepresent invention. All such changes, modifications, and alterationsshould therefore be seen as being within the scope of the presentinvention.

1. An agricultural combine comprising: a body defining a spacecontaining a separating system, the body having a generally rearwardlyfacing rear opening defined therein in connection with a rear end of thespace, a rotary crop residue chopper having an upwardly facing inletopening disposed in a lower portion of the rear end of the space, therear opening being located rearwardly of the separating system and theinlet opening of the chopper; a rotary beater for propelling a flow ofcrop residue rearwardly along a crop flow path through the space fromthe separating system toward the rear end of the space; a doorarrangement disposed in the rear end of the space and configurable in afirst configuration closing the rear opening and in position fordirecting at least a portion of the flow of crop residue into the inletopening of the chopper, and in a second configuration extending over andcovering the inlet opening and adjacent to the rear opening fordirecting the flow of crop residue rearwardly and outwardly from thespace through the rear opening; and a conveyor mechanism disposed in thespace forwardly of the inlet opening of the chopper and the rearopening, the conveyor mechanism having an upwardly facing conveyorsurface disposed for receiving at least a portion of the flow of thecrop residue, the conveyor surface being continually movable rearwardlyfor conveying the crop residue received thereby to the door arrangementfor direction thereby into the inlet opening of the chopper when thedoor arrangement is in the first configuration, and for direction overthe door arrangement and rearwardly through the rear opening when thedoor arrangement is in the second configuration.
 2. The agriculturalcombine of claim 1, wherein the door arrangement has at least two doorswhich are positioned in spaced apart opposing relation to form a chutedirected into the inlet opening of the chopper when the door arrangementis in the first configuration.
 3. The agricultural combine of claim 2,wherein at least one of the at least two doors is positioned to form aramp directed downwardly toward the rear opening of the body when thedoor arrangement is in the second configuration.
 4. The agriculturalcombine of claim 3, further comprising a cleaning fan disposed in thebody for directing a flow of air rearwardly therein, wherein the doorarrangement is configured in the second configuration to form an openingabove the ramp through which a portion of the flow of air will bedirected.
 5. The agricultural combine of claim 1, further comprising achaff spreader device disposed in the space forwardly of the chopper,wherein the door arrangement is configurable in a third configurationfor covering the rear opening and the inlet opening and directing theflow of the crop residue into the chaff spreader device.
 6. Theagricultural combine of claim 1 further comprising a chaff spreaderdevice disposed in the space forwardly of the chopper, wherein theconveyor mechanism is repositionable so as to be located at leastpartially in the flow of crop residue for directing at least a portionof the flow into the spreader device.
 7. The agricultural combine ofclaim 6, wherein the conveyor surface is movable in a direction towardthe spreader when the conveyor mechanism is positioned for directing theflow of the crop residue into the spreader device.
 8. The agriculturalcombine of claim 6, wherein the conveyor mechanism includes a doorpositionable for preventing the flow of the crop residue into the rearend of the space when the conveyor mechanism is positioned for directingthe flow of the crop residue into the spreader device.
 9. Theagricultural combine of claim 1, wherein the conveyor mechanism furthercomprises a controller, the controller operable to control and move theconveyor surface at a variable speed, the controller controlling thespeed as a function of at least one predetermined parameter.
 10. Theagricultural combine of claim 9, wherein the conveyor surface includesan endless belt.
 11. The agricultural combine of claim 1, wherein theconveyor mechanism is positioned in spaced relation beneath a ceiling ofthe body enclosing an upper end of the space such that the conveyorsurface and the ceiling extend convergingly toward the rear end of thespace.
 12. A system for positively discharging crop residue from anagricultural combine including a body defining a space containing aseparating system, the system comprising: a rotary beater for propellinga flow of crop residue rearwardly along a crop flow path through thespace from the separating system toward a rear end of the space; arotary crop residue chopper having an upwardly facing inlet openingdisposed in a lower portion of the rear end of the space; a rear openingthrough a rear end of the body rearwardly of the inlet opening of thechopper; a door arrangement disposed in the rear end of the space andconfigurable in a first configuration in closing relation to the rearopening and positioned for directing at least a portion of the flow ofcrop residue into the inlet opening of the chopper, and in a secondconfiguration covering the inlet opening and adjacent to the rearopening for directing the flow of crop residue over the inlet opening ofthe chopper and outwardly from the space through the rear opening; and aconveyor mechanism disposed in the space forwardly of the inlet openingof the chopper and the rear opening, the conveyor mechanism having anupwardly facing conveyor surface disposed for receiving at least aportion of the flow of the crop residue, the conveyor surface beingcontinuously movable in a rearward direction for conveying the cropresidue received thereby rearwardly so as to be directed by the doorarrangement into the inlet opening of the chopper for discharge from thecombine thereby when the door arrangement is in the first configuration,and so as to be directed through the rear opening by the doorarrangement so as to be discharged from the combine for forming awindrow when in the door arrangement is in the second configuration. 13.The system of claim 12, wherein the door arrangement has at least twodoors which are positioned in spaced apart opposing relation to form achute directed into the inlet opening of the chopper when the doorarrangement is in the first configuration.
 14. The system of claim 13,wherein when the door arrangement is in the second configuration the atleast two doors are positioned to close the inlet opening of the chopperwith a rearward one of the doors forming a ramp directed downwardlythrough the rear end of the space toward the rear opening of the body.15. The system of claim 12, wherein the combine further includes acleaning fan disposed in the body for directing a flow of air rearwardlytherein, and wherein the door arrangement is configured in the secondconfiguration to form an opening above the ramp through which a portionof the flow of air will be directed, for mixing with the flow of cropresidue toward the rear opening.
 16. The system of claim 12, wherein thecombine further includes a chaff spreader device disposed in the spaceforwardly of the chopper, and wherein the door arrangement isconfigurable in a third configuration for covering the rear opening andthe inlet opening and directing the flow of the crop residue into thechaff spreader device.
 17. The system of claim 12, wherein the combinefurther includes a chaff spreader device disposed in the space forwardlyof the chopper, and wherein the conveyor mechanism is repositionable soas to be located at least partially in the flow of crop residue fordirecting at least a portion of the flow into the spreader device. 18.The system of claim 17, wherein the conveyor surface is continuouslymovable in a direction toward the spreader when the conveyor mechanismis positioned for directing the flow of the crop residue into thespreader device.
 19. The system of claim 17, further comprising a doorpositionable for preventing the flow of the crop residue into the rearend of the space when the conveyor mechanism is positioned for directingthe flow of the crop residue into the spreader device.
 20. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the conveyor surface comprises an endless belt movableat a variable speed.
 21. The system of claim 20, further comprising acontrol for automatically controlling the speed of the belt as afunction of at least one predetermined parameter.
 22. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the conveyor mechanism is positioned in spacedrelation beneath a ceiling of the body enclosing an upper end of thespace such that the conveyor surface and the ceiling extend converginglytoward the rear end of the space, for reducing a vertical extent of theflow of crop residue over the conveyor mechanism.
 23. Apparatus for anagricultural combine, for selectably directing crop residue propelledrearwardly within a space defined by a body of the combine outwardlythrough a rear opening of the body or into a chopper located in a lowerrear portion of the space, the apparatus comprising: a door arrangementdisposed in a rear end of the space and configurable in a firstconfiguration in closing relation to the rear opening and positioned fordirecting at least a portion of the flow of crop residue into an inletopening of the chopper disposed forwardly of the rear opening, and in asecond configuration covering the inlet opening and adjacent to the rearopening for directing the flow of crop residue outwardly from the spaceover the inlet opening and through the rear opening; and a conveyormechanism disposed in the space forwardly of the inlet opening of thechopper and the rear opening, the conveyor mechanism having an upwardlyfacing conveyor surface disposed for receiving at least a portion of theflow of the crop residue, the conveyor surface being continuouslymovable in a rearward direction for conveying the crop residue receivedthereby rearwardly so as to be directed by the door arrangement into theinlet opening of the chopper when the door arrangement is in the firstconfiguration, and so as to be directed through the rear opening by thedoor arrangement when in the second configuration.
 24. The apparatus ofclaim 23, wherein the door arrangement has at least two doors which arepositioned in spaced apart opposing relation to form a chute directedinto the inlet opening of the chopper when the door arrangement is inthe first configuration.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein when thedoor arrangement is in the second configuration the at least two doorsare positioned to close the inlet opening of the chopper with a rearwardone of the doors forming a ramp directed downwardly through the rear endof the space toward the rear opening of the body.
 26. The apparatus ofclaim 23, wherein the combine includes a cleaning fan disposed in thebody for directing a flow of air rearwardly therein, and wherein thedoor arrangement is configured in the second configuration to form anopening above the ramp through which a portion of the flow of air willbe directed.
 27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the combine furtherincludes a chaff spreader device disposed in the space forwardly of thechopper, and wherein the door arrangement is configurable in a thirdconfiguration for covering the rear opening and the inlet opening anddirecting the flow of the crop residue into the chaff spreader device.28. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the combine further includes achaff spreader device disposed in the space forwardly of the chopper,and wherein the conveyor mechanism is repositionable so as to be locatedat least partially in the flow of crop residue for directing at least aportion of the flow into the spreader device.
 29. The apparatus of claim28, wherein the conveyor surface is continuously movable in a directiontoward the spreader when the conveyor mechanism is positioned fordirecting the flow of the crop residue into the spreader device.
 30. Theapparatus of claim 28, further comprising a door positionable forpreventing the flow of the crop residue into the rear end of the spacewhen the conveyor mechanism is positioned for directing the flow of thecrop residue into the spreader device.
 31. The apparatus of claim 23,wherein the conveyor surface further comprises a controller, thecontroller operable to control and move the conveyor surface at avariable speed, the controller controlling the speed responsive to atleast one predetermined parameter.
 32. The apparatus of claim 23,wherein the conveyor surface comprises an endless belt.
 33. Theapparatus of claim 23, wherein the conveyor mechanism is positioned inspaced relation beneath a ceiling of the body enclosing an upper end ofthe space such that the conveyor surface and the ceiling extendconvergingly toward the rear end of the space, for reducing a verticalextent of the flow of crop residue as the flow passes over the conveyormechanism.
 34. A method for configuring a combine for directing arearward flow of crop residue within a space defined by a rear end of abody of the combine, outwardly through a rear opening of the body forforming a windrow, or into a chopper located in a lower rear portion ofthe space, comprising steps of: providing a door arrangement in the rearend of the space and configurable in a first configuration in closingrelation to the rear opening and for directing at least a portion of theflow of crop residue into an inlet opening of the chopper locatedforwardly of the rear opening, and in a second configuration coveringthe inlet opening and adjacent to the rear opening for directing theflow of crop residue over the inlet opening and outwardly from the spacethrough the rear opening; providing a conveyor mechanism disposed in thespace forwardly of the inlet opening of the chopper and the rearopening, the conveyor mechanism having an upwardly facing conveyorsurface disposed along a path of the flow of the crop residue, theconveyor surface being continuously movable in a rearward direction forconveying at least a portion of the crop residue flow rearwardly to thedoor arrangement; configuring the door arrangement in the firstconfiguration so as to direct the flow of the crop residue into theinlet opening of the chopper so as to be chopped thereby; andconfiguring the door arrangement in the second configuration so as todirect the flow of the crop residue from the combine through the rearopening for forming a windrow on a field behind the combine.
 35. Themethod of claim 34, wherein the combine includes a cleaning fan disposedin the body for directing a flow of air rearwardly therein, and whereinthe step of configuring the door arrangement further comprisesconfiguring the door arrangement to allow at least a portion of the flowof air to be directed into the flow of crop residue toward the rearopening.
 36. The method of claim 34, wherein the combine furtherincludes a chaff spreader device disposed in the space forwardly of thechopper, and the method further comprises the step of: configuring thedoor arrangement in a third configuration for covering the rear openingand the inlet opening and directing the flow of the crop residue intothe chaff spreader device.
 37. The method of claim 34, wherein thecombine further includes a chaff spreader device disposed in the spaceforwardly of the chopper, and the method further comprises the step of:repositioning the conveyor mechanism so as to be located at leastpartially in the flow of crop residue for directing at least a portionof the flow into the spreader device.
 38. The method of claim 34 whereinthe step of configuring the door arrangement reduces the flow of thecrop residue in vertical extent prior to passage through the rearopening.
 39. The method of claim 38 wherein the step of configuring thedoor arrangement forms the flow of the crop residue from the combineinto a substantially continuous mat prior to passage through the rearopening and the mat is laid a layer of stubble on the field for formingthe windrow.
 40. An agricultural combine comprising: a body defining aspace containing a separating system, the body having a rear openingdefined therein, the rear opening being located rearwardly of the inletopening of the chopper; a rotary beater for propelling a flow of cropresidue rearwardly along a crop flow path from the separating systemtoward a rear end of the space; a rotary crop residue chopper having anupwardly facing inlet opening disposed in a lower portion of the rearend of the space; a door arrangement disposed in the space andconfigurable in a first configuration closing the rear opening and inposition for directing at least a portion of the flow of crop residueinto the inlet opening of the chopper, and in a second configurationcovering the inlet opening and adjacent to the rear opening fordirecting the flow of crop residue outwardly from the space through therear opening; a conveyor mechanism disposed in the space forwardly ofthe inlet opening of the chopper and the rear opening, the conveyormechanism having an upwardly facing conveyor surface disposed forreceiving at least a portion of the flow of the crop residue, theconveyor surface being continually movable rearwardly for conveying thecrop residue received thereby to the door arrangement for directionthereby into the inlet opening of the chopper when the door arrangementis in the first configuration, and for direction through the rearopening when the door arrangement is in the second configuration; and achaff spreader device disposed in the space forwardly of the chopper,wherein the door arrangement is configurable in a third configurationfor covering the rear opening and the inlet opening and directing theflow of the crop residue in to the chaff spreader device.
 41. Anagricultural combine comprising: a body defining a space containing aseparating system, the body having a rear opening defined therein, therear opening being located rearwardly of the inlet opening of thechopper; a rotary beater for propelling a flow of crop residuerearwardly along a crop flow path from the separating system toward arear end of the space; a rotary crop residue chopper having an upwardlyfacing inlet opening disposed in a lower portion of the rear end of thespace; a door arrangement disposed in the space and configurable in afirst configuration closing the rear opening and in position fordirecting at least a portion of the flow of crop residue into the inletopening of the chopper, and in a second configuration covering the inletopening and adjacent to the rear opening for directing the flow of cropresidue outwardly from the space through the rear opening; a conveyormechanism disposed in the space forwardly of the inlet opening of thechopper and the rear opening, the conveyor mechanism having an upwardlyfacing conveyor surface disposed for receiving at least a portion of theflow of the crop residue, the conveyor surface being continually movablerearwardly for conveying the crop residue received thereby to the doorarrangement for direction thereby into the inlet opening of the chopperwhen the door arrangement is in the first configuration, and fordirection through the rear opening when the door arrangement is in thesecond configuration; and a chaff spreader device disposed in the spaceforwardly of the chopper, wherein the conveyor mechanism isrepositionable so as to be located at least partially in the flow ofcrop residue for directing at least a portion of the flow into thespreader device.
 42. The agricultural combine of claim 41, wherein theconveyor surface is movable in a direction toward the spreader when theconveyor mechanism is positioned for directing the flow of the cropresidue into the spreader device.
 43. The agricultural combine of claim41, wherein the conveyor mechanism includes a door positionable forpreventing the flow of the crop residue into the rear end of the spacewhen the conveyor mechanism is positioned for directing the flow of thecrop residue into the spreader device.
 44. An agricultural combinecomprising: a body defining a space containing a separating system, thebody having a rear opening defined therein, the rear opening beinglocated rearwardly of the inlet opening of the chopper; a rotary beaterfor propelling a flow of crop residue rearwardly along a crop flow pathfrom the separating system toward a rear end of the space; a rotary cropresidue chopper having an upwardly facing inlet opening disposed in alower portion of the rear end of the space; a door arrangement disposedin the space and configurable in a first configuration closing the rearopening and in position for directing at least a portion of the flow ofcrop residue into the inlet opening of the chopper, and in a secondconfiguration covering the inlet opening and adjacent to the rearopening for directing the flow of crop residue outwardly from the spacethrough the rear opening; a conveyor mechanism disposed in the spaceforwardly of the inlet opening of the chopper and the rear opening, theconveyor mechanism having an upwardly facing conveyor surface disposedfor receiving at least a portion of the flow of the crop residue, theconveyor surface being continually movable rearwardly for conveying thecrop residue received thereby to the door arrangement for directionthereby into the inlet opening of the chopper when the door arrangementis in the first configuration, and for direction through the rearopening when the door arrangement is in the second configuration; and acontroller operable to control and move the conveyor surface at avariable speed, the controller controlling the speed as a function of atleast one predetermined parameter.
 45. The agricultural combine of claim44, wherein the conveyor surface includes an endless belt.
 46. A systemfor positively discharging crop residue from an agricultural combineincluding a body defining a space containing a separating system, thesystem comprising: a rotary beater for propelling a flow of crop residuerearwardly along a crop flow path through the space from the separatingsystem toward a rear end of the space; a rotary crop residue chopperhaving an upwardly facing inlet opening disposed in a lower portion ofthe rear end of the space; a rear opening through a rear end of the bodyrearwardly of the inlet opening of the chopper; a door arrangementdisposed in the rear end of the space and configurable in a firstconfiguration in closing relation to the rear opening and positioned fordirecting at least a portion of the flow of crop residue into the inletopening of the chopper, and in a second configuration covering the inletopening and adjacent to the rear opening for directing the flow of cropresidue outwardly from the space through the rear opening; a conveyormechanism disposed in the space forwardly of the inlet opening of thechopper and the rear opening, the conveyor mechanism having an upwardlyfacing conveyor surface disposed for receiving at least a portion of theflow of the crop residue, the conveyor surface being continuouslymovable in a rearward direction for conveying the crop residue receivedthereby rearwardly so as to be directed by the door arrangement into theinlet opening of the chopper for discharge from the combine thereby whenthe door arrangement is in the first configuration, and so as to bedirected through the rear opening by the door arrangement so as to bedischarged from the combine for forming a windrow when in the doorarrangement is in the second configuration; and a chaff spreader devicedisposed in the space forwardly of the chopper, and wherein the doorarrangement is configurable in a third configuration for covering therear opening and the inlet opening and directing the flow of the cropresidue into the chaff spreader device.
 47. A system for positivelydischarging crop residue from an agricultural combine including a bodydefining a space containing a separating system, the system comprising:a rotary beater for propelling a flow of crop residue rearwardly along acrop flow path through the space from the separating system toward arear end of the space; a rotary crop residue chopper having an upwardlyfacing inlet opening disposed in a lower portion of the rear end of thespace; a rear opening through a rear end of the body rearwardly of theinlet opening of the chopper; a door arrangement disposed in the rearend of the space and configurable in a first configuration in closingrelation to the rear opening and positioned for directing at least aportion of the flow of crop residue into the inlet opening of thechopper, and in a second configuration covering the inlet opening andadjacent to the rear opening for directing the flow of crop residueoutwardly from the space through the rear opening; a conveyor mechanismdisposed in the space forwardly of the inlet opening of the chopper andthe rear opening, the conveyor mechanism having an upwardly facingconveyor surface disposed for receiving at least a portion of the flowof the crop residue, the conveyor surface being continuously movable ina rearward direction for conveying the crop residue received therebyrearwardly so as to be directed by the door arrangement into the inletopening of the chopper for discharge from the combine thereby when thedoor arrangement is in the first configuration, and so as to be directedthrough the rear opening by the door arrangement so as to be dischargedfrom the combine for forming a windrow when the door arrangement is inthe second configuration; and a chaff spreader device disposed in thespace forwardly of the chopper, and wherein the conveyor mechanism isrepositionable so as to be located at least partially in the flow ofcrop residue for directing at least a portion of the flow into thespreader device.
 48. The system of claim 47, wherein the conveyorsurface is continuously movable in a direction toward the spreader whenthe conveyor mechanism is positioned for directing the flow of the cropresidue into the spreader device.
 49. The system of claim 47, furthercomprising a door positionable for preventing the flow of the cropresidue into the rear end of the space when the conveyor mechanism ispositioned for directing the flow of the crop residue into the spreaderdevice.
 50. A system for positively discharging crop residue from anagricultural combine including a body defining a space containing aseparating system, the system comprising: a rotary beater for propellinga flow of crop residue rearwardly along a crop flow path through thespace from the separating system toward a rear end of the space; arotary crop residue chopper having an upwardly facing inlet openingdisposed in a lower portion of the rear end of the space; a rear openingthrough a rear end of the body rearwardly of the inlet opening of thechopper; a door arrangement disposed in the rear end of the space andconfigurable in a first configuration in closing relation to the rearopening and positioned for directing at least a portion of the flow ofcrop residue into the inlet opening of the chopper, and in a secondconfiguration covering the inlet opening and adjacent to the rearopening for directing the flow of crop residue outwardly from the spacethrough the rear opening; a conveyor mechanism disposed in the spaceforwardly of the inlet opening of the chopper and the rear opening, theconveyor mechanism having an upwardly facing conveyor surface disposedfor receiving at least a portion of the flow of the crop residue, theconveyor surface being continuously movable in a rearward direction forconveying the crop residue received thereby rearwardly so as to bedirected by the door arrangement into the inlet opening of the chopperfor discharge from the combine thereby when the door arrangement is inthe first configuration, and so as to be directed through the rearopening by the door arrangement so as to be discharged from the combinefor forming a windrow when in the door arrangement is in the secondconfiguration, and wherein the conveyor surface comprises an endlessbelt movable at a variable speed; and a control for automaticallycontrolling the speed of the belt as a function of at least onepredetermined parameter.
 51. Apparatus for an agricultural combine, forselectably directing crop residue propelled rearwardly within a spacedefined by a body of the combine outwardly through a rear opening of thebody or into a chopper located in a lower rear portion of the space, theapparatus comprising: a door arrangement disposed in a rear end of thespace and configurable in a first configuration in closing relation tothe rear opening and positioned for directing at least a portion of theflow of crop residue into an inlet opening of the chopper, and in asecond configuration covering the inlet opening and adjacent to the rearopening for directing the flow of crop residue outwardly from the spacethrough the rear opening; a conveyor mechanism disposed in the spaceforwardly of the inlet opening of the chopper and the rear opening, theconveyor mechanism having an upwardly facing conveyor surface disposedfor receiving at least a portion of the flow of the crop residue, theconveyor surface being continuously movable in a rearward direction forconveying the crop residue received thereby rearwardly so as to bedirected by the door arrangement into the inlet opening of the chopperwhen the door arrangement is in the first configuration, and so as to bedirected through the rear opening by the door arrangement when in thesecond configuration; and a chaff spreader device disposed in the spaceforwardly of the chopper, and wherein the door arrangement isconfigurable in a third configuration for covering the rear opening andthe inlet opening and directing the flow of the crop residue into thechaff spreader device.
 52. Apparatus for an agricultural combine, forselectably directing crop residue propelled rearwardly within a spacedefined by a body of the combine outwardly through a rear opening of thebody or into a chopper located in a lower rear portion of the space, theapparatus comprising: a door arrangement disposed in a rear end of thespace and configurable in a first configuration in closing relation tothe rear opening and positioned for directing at least a portion of theflow of crop residue into an inlet opening of the chopper, and in asecond configuration covering the inlet opening and adjacent to the rearopening for directing the flow of crop residue outwardly from the spacethrough the rear opening; a conveyor mechanism disposed in the spaceforwardly of the inlet opening of the chopper and the rear opening, theconveyor mechanism having an upwardly facing conveyor surface disposedfor receiving at least a portion of the flow of the crop residue, theconveyor surface being continuously movable in a rearward direction forconveying the crop residue received thereby rearwardly so as to bedirected by the door arrangement into the inlet opening of the chopperwhen the door arrangement is in the first configuration, and so as to bedirected through the rear opening by the door arrangement when in thesecond configuration; and a chaff spreader device disposed in the spaceforwardly of the chopper, and wherein the conveyor mechanism isrepositionable so as to be located at least partially in the flow ofcrop residue for directing at least a portion of the flow into thespreader device.
 53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the conveyorsurface is continuously movable in a direction toward the spreader whenthe conveyor mechanism is positioned for directing the flow of the cropresidue into the spreader device.
 54. The apparatus of claim 52, furthercomprising a door positionable for preventing the flow of the cropresidue into the rear end of the space when the conveyor mechanism ispositioned for directing the flow of the crop residue into the spreaderdevice.
 55. Apparatus for an agricultural combine, for selectablydirecting crop residue propelled rearwardly within a space defined by abody of the combine outwardly through a rear opening of the body or intoa chopper located in a lower rear portion of the space, the apparatuscomprising: a door arrangement disposed in a rear end of the space andconfigurable in a first configuration in closing relation to the rearopening and positioned for directing at least a portion of the flow ofcrop residue into an inlet opening of the chopper, and in a secondconfiguration covering the inlet opening and adjacent to the rearopening for directing the flow of crop residue outwardly from the spacethrough the rear opening; a conveyor mechanism disposed in the spaceforwardly of the inlet opening of the chopper and the rear opening, theconveyor mechanism having an upwardly facing conveyor surface disposedfor receiving at least a portion of the flow of the crop residue, theconveyor surface being continuously movable in a rearward direction forconveying the crop residue received thereby rearwardly so as to bedirected by the door arrangement into the inlet opening of the chopperwhen the door arrangement is in the first configuration, and so as to bedirected through the rear opening by the door arrangement when in thesecond configuration; and a controller operable to control and move theconveyor surface at a variable speed, the controller controlling thespeed responsive to at least one predetermined parameter.
 56. A methodfor configuring a combine for directing a rearward flow of crop residuewithin a space defined by a rear end of a body of the combine, outwardlythrough a rear opening of the body for forming a windrow, or into achopper located in a lower rear portion of the space, comprising stepsof: providing a door arrangement in the rear end of the space andconfigurable in a first configuration in closing relation to the rearopening and for directing at least a portion of the flow of crop residueinto an inlet opening of the chopper, and in a second configurationcovering the inlet opening and adjacent to the rear opening fordirecting the flow of crop residue outwardly from the space through therear opening; providing a conveyor mechanism disposed in the spaceforwardly of the inlet opening of the chopper and the rear opening, theconveyor mechanism having an upwardly facing conveyor surface disposedalong a path of the flow of the crop residue, the conveyor surface beingcontinuously movable in a rearward direction for conveying at least aportion of the crop residue flow rearwardly to the door arrangement;configuring the door arrangement in the first configuration so as todirect the flow of the crop residue into the inlet opening of thechopper so as to be chopped thereby; configuring the door arrangement inthe second configuration so as to direct the flow of the crop residuefrom the combine through the rear opening for forming a windrow on afield behind the combine; and providing a chaff spreader device disposedin the space forwardly of the chopper, and configuring the doorarrangement in a third configuration for covering the rear opening andthe inlet opening and directing the flow of the crop residue into thechaff spreader device.
 57. A method for configuring a combine fordirecting a rearward flow of crop residue within a space defined by arear end of a body of the combine, outwardly through a rear opening ofthe body for forming a windrow, or into a chopper located in a lowerrear portion of the space, comprising steps of: providing a doorarrangement in the rear end of the space and configurable in a firstconfiguration in closing relation to the rear opening and for directingat least a portion of the flow of crop residue into an inlet opening ofthe chopper, and in a second configuration covering the inlet openingand adjacent to the rear opening for directing the flow of crop residueoutwardly from the space through the rear opening; providing a conveyormechanism disposed in the space forwardly of the inlet opening of thechopper and the rear opening, the conveyor mechanism having an upwardlyfacing conveyor surface disposed along a path of the flow of the cropresidue, the conveyor surface being continuously movable in a rearwarddirection for conveying at least a portion of the crop residue flowrearwardly to the door arrangement; configuring the door arrangement inthe first configuration so as to direct the flow of the crop residueinto the inlet opening of the chopper so as to be chopped thereby;configuring the door arrangement in the second configuration so as todirect the flow of the crop residue from the combine through the rearopening for forming a windrow on a field behind the combine; providing achaff spreader device disposed in the space forwardly of the chopper,and repositioning the conveyor mechanism so as to be located at leastpartially in the flow of crop residue for directing at least a portionof the flow into the spreader device.
 58. A method for configuring acombine for directing a rearward flow of crop residue within a spacedefined by a rear end of a body of the combine, outwardly through a rearopening of the body for forming a windrow, or into a chopper located ina lower rear portion of the space, comprising steps of: providing a doorarrangement in the rear end of the space and configurable in a firstconfiguration in closing relation to the rear opening and for directingat least a portion of the flow of crop residue into an inlet opening ofthe chopper, and in a second configuration covering the inlet openingand adjacent to the rear opening for directing the flow of crop residueoutwardly from the space through the rear opening; providing a conveyormechanism disposed in the space forwardly of the inlet opening of thechopper and the rear opening, the conveyor mechanism having an upwardlyfacing conveyor surface disposed along a path of the flow of the cropresidue, the conveyor surface being continuously movable in a rearwarddirection for conveying at least a portion of the crop residue flowrearwardly to the door arrangement; configuring the door arrangement inthe first configuration so as to direct the flow of the crop residueinto the inlet opening of the chopper so as to be chopped thereby;configuring the door arrangement in the second configuration so as todirect the flow of the crop residue from the combine through the rearopening for forming a windrow on a field behind the combine; wherein thestep of configuring the door arrangement in the second configurationreduces the flow of the crop residue in vertical extent prior to passagethrough the rear opening, and wherein the step of configuring the doorarrangement forms the flow of the crop material from the combine into asubstantially continuous mat prior to passage through the rear openingand the mat is laid in a layer of stubble on the field for forming thewindrow.